Traveling shop hoist



Nov. 13, 1951 A. J. GETZ ET AL TRAVELING SHOP HOIST 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Oct. 11, 1948 Inventors Alfred J. Ger:

Ge/ares D. Weed 1951 A. J. GETZ ETAL TRAVELING SHOP HOIST 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1948 Fig. 5 I50 Fig.6;

ow A uwm wwm F Jb M dx er w h 8 Y A6 B Patented Nov. 13, 1951 OFFICE TRAVELING SE01. HOIST Alfred J. Getz and Gehres D. Weed, Kalispell, Mont.

Application October 11, 1948, Serial No. 53,882

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in traveling shop hoists.

An object of this invention is to support a carriage on an overhead rail or rails, to incorporate within the carriage a cam for actuating a bracket to move the same from the path of travel of the carriage, the bracket supporting the carriage pull rope or cable.

Another object of the invention is to minimize necessary overhead clearance for operation, which is accomplished with no bulky power unit on the carriage and with the nesting of pulleys adjacent each other.

Another object of this invention is to incorporate latch means with the bracket, the latch means being operated by the said cam.

Another purpose of this invention is to utilize one or more rollers which are carried by the carriage and which serve the function of preventing contact of the cable directly with the carriage when the traveling sheave is being raised or lowered and it is not positioned directly beneath the said carriage.

Another object of this invention is to utilize a common source of power such as a motor for imparting rotative movement to a number of drums, one of the drums winding the pull rope thereby rollingly actuating the carriage and at least one of the other drums winding a rope or cable in order to raise or lower the traveling sheave.

Another object of this invention is to provide a practical device of the nature to be described which incorporates various improvements as to rope and cable guiding and handling.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred forms of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure l is a schematic perspective view of one form of the invention, portions being shown in elevation illustrating the power means;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of an overhead rail having one vform of the invention mounted thereon, showing pull ropes supporting brackets in their raised position;

Figure 3 is the side view of the device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of an overhead rail having pull ropes supporting brackets mounted thereon;

Figure 5 is an elevational side view of another form of the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the overhead rail, which in this instance is a. pair of channels, and showing the device in elevation, the view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the carriage plates utilized in thecarriage of the species of the invention shown in Figures -5 and 6;

2 Figure 8 is a side view of another form of the invention; and

Figure 9-is an end view of the structure in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 1 there is schematically I illustrated a carriage plate I0 adapted to be rollingly mounted on a suitable overhead rail ll. Brackets l2 support wheels or rollers l4 and 16 respectively to serve this purpose.

At the lower portion of the schematically shown carriage plate In there is a pair of axles I8 and 20 respectively which support pulleys 22 at each end of each axle. A pair of traveling sheaves 24 and 26 respectively are mounted on a shaft 28 and a conventional rope or cable or other suitable flexible elongated member 30 extends thereunder. This rope or cable also is guided by the pulleys 22 and extends around an idler pulley 32. This idler pulley is suitably mounted by means of a small shaft or pin 34.

It is apparent that when the elongated flexible element is played in, the mass or weight 36 supported by the shaft 28 will be raised. Of course, playing out the elongated flexible member 30 will lower the weight or mass 36. V Attached to opposite sides of the carriage plate [0 is a pull rope 38 which is entrained around a pair of idlers 42 and 40 respectively, thencearound two more idlers 44 and 46 respectively. Playing in one portion of the rope 38 while allowing the other portion to play out or slacken will move the entire carriage with all its pertinent structure.

Means for performing various operations on the ropes or cables 30 and 38 is provided. This particular means may be adapted for use in many modifications of the invention. It will be noted at this point that the rope winding and unwinding means may be attached to a wall of a shop or the like, may be supported vertically, horizontally or located in any convenient spot or posi-- tion.

A main shaft 48 is driven by a suitable primemover such as the motor 50. This main shaft has a pinion 52 intermediate its length, a clutch indicated at 54 (conventional per se) and a drum The pinion 52 is meshed with gears 58 and 60 respectively in order to impart torque from the shaft 48 to the drums 62 and 64 respectively. An end of the rope 39 is secured to the drum 62, while the other end is attached to the drum 64. It is apparent that through the gearing the drums rotate in opposite directions thereby pulling in the cable or. rope or other suitable flexible elongated element 30 in order to raise and lower the weight 36 ultimately.

On occasion it may be desirable to disengage one or the other of the said drums 62 and 64 respectively. This is accomplished through the medium of the conventional locking clutch mechanisms seen at 66 and 68 respectively. The drums 62 and 64 are slid on the supporting shafts I and I2 respectively by this actuation means. Then, either one or the other or neither of the drums 62 and 64 may be operated upon. In order to guide the flexible element 30 a pair of idler pulleys I4 and respectively may be suitably attached by means of pins through any relatively stationary element.

The said clutch mechanism 54 may have a transmission with a reverse gear, whereby manipulation of the handle 18 transfers the movement of the shaft 48 to movement of the drum 56 in the opposite direction.

Referring now to Figures 2-4 an I beam is utilized for the overhead beam or rail 80. A carriage BI is supported on the lower flanges of the I beam 80 by means of four rollers, each of which is indicated at 82. A carriage plate 86 supports the said rollers 82 and may be substantially U- shaped in appearance.

A bracket 88 is attached to pairs of legs of the U-shaped carriage plate in order to accommodate a cam 90. There are two brackets 88 supplied and two cams 08, one pair of legs and one cam being on each side of the rail.

A number of ears 02 are attached to the said carriage plate in order to accommodate the ends of a pull rope 54. This pull rope objectionably sags in certain instances and means is provided specifically for the purpose of preventing this sagging. For this structure attention 'is directed to Figure 4 wherein is disclosed a pair of identical brackets 96 and 91 hinsedly or pivotally mounted to the top of the I beam 80. At the lower portion of the brackets there are rollers 88 and I60 respectively forming a seat for the pull rope or cable 94.

A plurality of the bracket assemblies are provided on the I beam 88 at spaced positions. The said brackets 96 and 91 would interfere. with the movement of the carriage unless some means were supplied for pivotally actuating the brackets. The cam 60 is used for this purpose. Upon engagement of the cams 90 with the brackets, they are lifted thereby allowing the carriage to move past them on the Ibeam.

Pulleys I02 and I04 are provided on each side of the carriage being supported by means of stub shafts I03 and I05, which also support rollers 82. A cable or rope is entrained over the pulleys I02 and I04 and also around a sheave I68 which is formed as a portion of a conventional hook mechanism generally indicated at H0. The said rope or cable I06 extends the full length of the I beam, whereupon it may be anchored or returned about an idler similar to that shown at 32. Then, it is entrained around a second sheave II2 of the hook mechanism H0 and around the opposite pair of pulleys on the carriage 8|.

On each side of the carriage 8| a pin I I3is sup-; plied. Recesses II 4 are formed in the said carriage plate 86 and the pin extends through the said recesses. There are two pins supplied and two recesses for each pin.

Rollers H6 and II8 respectively are rotatably mounted on the pins H3 and are disposed within the recesses H4. The function of these rollers. is to prevent the cable or rope I06 from jumping the pulleys I04 and I82 when lateral pulling with relation to the vertical is attributed to the hook mechanism III). It is often desirable to lift a 4 device which is not directly beneath the carriage and this occasionally results in the cable or rope jamming or jumping the pulleys. Through the use of the rollers H6 and H8 this difiiculty has been obviated.

Referring now to Figures 5-7 it is seen that the overhead rail is formed of a pair of slightly spaced channels I20, I22 respectively with their flanges in confronting relation. A carriage which includes carriage plates I24 and I26 respectively is supplied in association with the overhead rail formed by both channels. Each carriage plate is supplied with end portions which are noncoplanar with the central portions thereof and the noncoplanar portions are formed with apertures I30 and I32 respectively. Rollers I34 and I36 provided at each end of the carriage plates I24 and I26 are adapted t engage and roll on the lower flange of each channel forming the rail. By this means the carriage is rollingly supported on the overhead rail.

Flanges I36 and I40 respectively which are substantially perpendicular to the noncoplanar portions of the carriage plates extend beneath the lower flanges of the channels I 20 and I22 respectively. Suitable pins or shafts extend through the apertures in the flanges I38 and I40 in order to accommodate rollers I42 slidably engaging the Webs of each channel I20 and I22 respectively. As seen clearly in Figures 6 and 5 respectively the rollers have angularly inclined skirts I46 integral therewith rollingly engageablewith the under surface of the rail to prevent lateral and vertical movement of the carriage I23 with respect to the overhead rail.

Mounted on the same shafts which support the rollers I34 and I36 are pulleys I50 having'the elongated flexible memberor cable or rope I28 and entrained therearound. Alternatives are provided in this structure as to the cable I28. It may be in an arrangement as seen in Figure 1 or, if desired may be anchored at one end and simply pulled from the other in order t raise and lower the hook mechanism indicated generally at I52. This hook mechanism has incorporated therewith a sheave I56, which has the cable, I28 entrained therearound, as is conventional in certain types of hook mechanisms.

A pullrope or cable I60 is securedto the carrier by means of small brackets I62 and I64 at the front. and rear of, the carriage. The same difficulty arises. in this embodiment of the invention as in the others. This difficulty resides in the disposition of the pull cable as. the carriage is slid along the overhead rail. For thatreason.

one leg of a substantially L' sha'ped bracket I68 is mounted for reciprocation in' a boss I68 which in turn is attached 01 thefouter surface of. the web of enact the chanhelsf A pin I10 is attached to the said' leg of substantially.ll shaped bracket I66 and is. adapted t seat in a recess (unnumbered) formed in the top of the boss I08. A cam track or surface IMis supplied at the upper surface of. the said boss I68 for sliding contact with a transverse pin I12. This pin is secured to the bracket I66 in a suitable manner.

A roller I18 i disposed on the other leg of the bracket I66, extending beneath theoverhead rail. It is quite apparent from inspection of Figure 5 that upon movement of thevcarriage in the rail.

thecam I80 which is fixed to the carriage I23 will engage the bracket I66, liftingthe same and urging the same rotatively withthe cam surface I14. beingacted upon by the pin I12. This moves. the bracket from the direct line. of-movement of,

the carriage. When the bracket is not being moved by the cam I80, the roller I78 supports the pull rope or cable I68. Any number of brackets I88 and pertinent structure may be supplied along the length of the overhead rail in thi instance, as found necessary. It is seen that the actuation of this mechanism is responsive to the cam action rendered operative upon positioning the cam 188 beneath the said bracket I88. The travel of the carriage I23 is responsible for such actuation.

Attention is now directed to Figure 8 wherein the final embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is noted at this point that a 2 to 1 ratio for raising and lowering the hook mechanism 282 i illustrated. However, it is within the purview of the invention to use other ratios such as the 4 to 1 either as seen in Figure 1 or in the conventional manner.

In this instance an I iieam I88 is disclosed as an overhead rail. A carriage plate I90 is illustrated with rollers 182 and 194 respectively mounted at the top portion thereof for rolling contact with the lower flange of the I beam I88. Pulleys I96 and I88 are disposed beneath the rollers 582 and 184 and have the elongated flexible elementsv such as a rope or cable 288 entrained therearound. A bracket 28I is secured to the overhead beam I88 by any suitable means such as riveting or the like and serves the purpose of an anchor for the cable 288. Thus, the cable being anchored at one end to the bracket 28! extends around the pulley I96, around the sheave 284 of the hook mechanism, around the pulley I98 and then around an idler 285 which is mounted on the under surface of the overhead beam. Winding and unwinding force may be applied to the cable 200. Obviously, this raises and lowers the hook mechanism 202 as desired.

For prevention of the cable 200 from becoming disengaged from the pulleys I96 and I98 respectively, a number of depending brackets or hangers 288 are suitably attached to the carriage plate I98. These brackets support rollers 2I0 engaged by the cable 200 when the hook mechanism is in use and particularly when a lateral thrust is applied to the hook mechanism in raising and lowering a load.

With further relation to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8, it is appreciated that the structure shown in Figure 8 may be duplicated insofar as the carriage plate and pulleys as well as rollers are concerned. The brackets 288 and rollers 2!!) may also be duplicated and this form of the invention may be propelled along the beam I88 either manually or by means of the previously described structure in conjunction with Figure 1.

It is apparent that certain variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. A traveling shop hoist including an overhead rail, a carriage, means forming a portion of said carriage mounted on said overhead rail supporting said carriage, pair of spaced pulleys carried by said carriage, a traveling sheave, a flexible elongated member guided by said pulleys supporting said sheave, said carriage including a carriage plate, rollers carried by said plate and engaging said rail to guide said carriage, a pull rope secured to said carriage, a bracket secured for swinging movement to said rail and supporting said pull rope, means secured to said carriage to engage and move said bracket when said carriage is moved on said rail, and a latch operatively connected with said bracket releasably retaining said bracket in the path of travel of said carriage.

2. A traveling shop hoist including an overhead rail, a carriage with a pull rope secured thereto, means movably secured to said rail for supporting said pull rope, said means consisting of an L-shaped bracket having two connected legs, one of said legs having a, rope supporting surface thereon, a bearing attached to said rail and arranged wlth a bore therein, said bore having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the path of movement of said carriage, and the other leg of said L-shaped bracket being mounted for rotation in said bore, means forming a portion of said carriage mounted on said overhead rail supporting said carriage for longitudinal movement on said rail, a pair of spaced pulleys carried by said carriage, a flexible elongated member disposed on and guided by said pulleys to raise and lower a load, and a, cam secured to said carriage and engaging a portion of said L-shaped bracket to rotate said bracket in said bearing during the travel of said carriage, to thereby move said bracket from the path of travel 01' said carriage.

3. A traveling shop hoist including an overhead rail, a carriage with a pull rope secured thereto, means movably secured to said rail for supporting said pull rope, said means consisting of an L-shaped bracket having two connected legs, one of said legs having 9, rope supporting surface thereon, a bearing attached to said rail and arranged with a bore therein, said bore having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the path of movement of said carriage, and the other leg of said L-shaped bracket being mounted for rotation in said bore, means forming a portion of said carriage mounted on said overhead rail supporting said carriage for longitudinal movement on said rail, a pair of spaced pulleys carried by said carriage, a flexible elongated member disposed on and guided by said pulleys to raise and lower a load, a cam secured to said carriage and engaging a portion of said L-shaped bracket to rotate said bracket in said bearing during the travel of said carriage, to thereby move said bracket from the path of travel of said carriage, and means forming a latch operatively connected with one leg of said bracket and said bearing to releasably hold said bracket so that a portion thereof is in the path of travel of said carriage, and said latch being arranged to be released by said cam.

ALFRED J. GETZ. GEHRES D. WEED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 395,873 Brown Jan. 8, 1889 451,260 Brodesser Apr. 28, 1891 461,516 Ashworth Oct. 20, 1891 533,669 Rosenfeld Feb. 5, 1895 535,219 McDowell et al Mar. 5, 1895 1,354,247 Fredrickson Sept. 28, 1920 1,456,218 Brightman May 22, 923 1,481,868 Huckins Jan. 29, 1924 

